Whatever......

Have you ever read a portion of Scripture over and over, become so familiar with it you can quote it in your sleep, BUT THEN -- read it again one day and become aware of something totally brand new in it?  I had that happen today with Isaiah 6:1-8 ~

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:


“Holy, holy , holy is the Lord Almighty; 
    the whole earth is full of his glory.”
 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.


 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”


 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar.  With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for. ”


 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? ”


And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

The Vision of Isaiah, by Luke Allsbrook

I noticed something today in this passage that I never noticed before.  God NEVER mentions WHERE He is looking to send this certain someone He's asking for.  He doesn't say, "Whom shall I send to the land or town of ..........?"  "And who will go for us?"


Ummm....go where?  And to whom? To do what? God is pretty much light on logistics here. 


Yet Isaiah is more than ready, willing and able -- eager, even!! -- to go wherever, to whomever and to do whatever it is God has in mind. Can't you just picture Isaiah jumping up, waving his hand and shouting, "Here am I. Send me!"?


How many of us can honestly say we would do that? If God were to speak today and merely say, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?", I wonder how many people would jump up out of their comfy lifestyle seats, frantically waving their hand like Arnold Horshack from 'Welcome Back Kotter' (hopefully SOMEONE out there remembers Horshack and this '70's sitcom) and yelling, "Ooh, ooh oooh! Here I am, God!  Send me!!!!!"  

No specifics, no details, no Google Maps satellite view of the lay of the land given.  Just a simple question, with a simple faith and trust in a loving Abba Father being the desired response by He Who created us for so much -- one of those things being for us to become the hands and feet, the eyes and ears and the heart of His Son, Jesus Christ. 


Kind of a scary thing to imagine for some of us, yes? I think of the times over the years that I've heard stories from various folks, sharing how hesitant they were to say "Yes" to God in such an Isaiah-like way, frightened He would send them straight to Africa, or some other remote, forgotten and disease-ridden place on earth where even the staunchest of missionaries fear to tread. 


Truth be told -- I was one of those people. Fearful, distrustful, not very spontaneous and somewhat detail oriented.  In school or at a job, whenever a teacher or a boss would ask "who would like to volunteer for such-and-such?", I would avert my eyes and wish myself invisible, especially if (a) no logistics were initially offered, and/or (b) the volunteering would cause me to go somewhere, do something or interact with someone I found difficult or distasteful.  For years, I fluctuated between being like Moses, wrangling with God over my lengthy list of lame excuses, and acting like Jonah, speed boating it in the opposite direction of God and hiding below deck with eyes tightly shut.  Those of you who've been faithful readers of this little blog of mine might remember (or not) that I wrote a post with similar points back in December of last year called "The Struggle", where I described my grappling with being obedient to the Lord over something specific He was calling me to do at that time.  While I did finally say "yes" to His particular calling back then, I must admit it certainly wasn't with waving hands and joyful shouts, and my headstrong wrestling with Him over other things continued into the new year.


But all of that came to a screeching halt recently. Really, I can't even explain how it happened, except to give complete credit and glory to God, because over the past few months, I've been battling with some tough, very personal issues in my life.  And then to suddenly find myself being able to give God an Isaiah type response to His callings (notice the plural here) in the midst of it all is, well....kind of weird.  Kind of scary. SO...NOT...Me. 


But also, SO...Absolutely...Amazing.


Back in February, I was inspired to write this poem of sorts. As I was hand writing it into my journal, I remember thinking -- "What?? This isn't me, God.  I can't seriously and truthfully ever share this with anybody, because IT'S NOT WHO I AM!!! And You know it! Why would You have me write this, anyway?!"   I'm telling you, I must give God a real good chuckle (and no doubt, some big headaches, too) now and again with the things I say to Him. Because He knew all along that a time was coming soon when these words would be coming not just from my pen and my keyboard, but from my heart and my burning coal touched lips as well. To Him. 


And all I can say is this: When you surrender all to the Lord Jesus and allow Him total access to do whatever is necessary in your life; when you are ready, willing, able and --eager, even!! -- hold on tightly to Him, take a deep breath, and  be prepared for the ride of your life.  Is it easy?  No, not very. Get ready for twists and turns, ups and downs, and at times, you'll find yourself passing through tunnels where you can't see anything at all.  Like a roller coaster ride, it's exhilarating, breathtaking and frightening, all at once.

But don't be afraid.  God is right there with you -- along for the ride and the long haul.


Are you ready?

Whatever

Whatever word You have for me -

I will speak it.

Whatever song You write for me -

I  will sing it.

Whatever story You dictate to me -

I will write it.

Whatever gift You offer to me -

I will share it.

Whatever trial You present to me -

I will accept it.

Whatever burden You lay on me -

I will bear it.

Whatever truth You speak to me -

I will believe it.

Whatever promise You make to me -

I will stand upon it.

Whatever plan You have for me -

I will live it!

By Faith

Faith.


We read, hear, sing and talk a lot about it.  It is one of those things that is key to the Christian's daily walk.


I'm sure many of us could fill page after page about what it is to be a person of faith.  Lately, words have been hard to come by for me, for various reasons.  


Today, I'd like to share a quote, a picture and a song that I just love and to me, says it all:




"A person who lives in faith must proceed on incomplete evidence, trusting in advance what will only make sense in reverse." ~ Philip Yancey

I Walk By Faith, by Judy Cooley

Worship Song Sunday -- 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Matt Redman

Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name!
Bless the LORD,  O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, Who forgives all your iniquity, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, Who satisfies you with good, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. ~ Psalm 103:1-5, ESV

I came across this quote from a Hebrew website and felt it appropriate and worth sharing here today. Meditate with me on this one for a bit, won't you?


"If you enjoy something in this world without saying a blessing, it is as if you stole it." 



How many reasons can YOU think of to bless and praise the LORD today?

Worship Song Sunday -- Show Me Your Glory, by Third Day

Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but You have not let me know whom You will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with Me.’ If You are pleased with me, teach me Your ways so I may know You and continue to find favor with You. Remember that this nation is Your people.”


The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”


Then Moses said to him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that You are pleased with me and with Your people unless You go with us? What else will distinguish me and Your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”


And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”


Then Moses said, “Now show me Your glory.” ~ Exodus 33:12-18


Are we, like Moses, so eager to know God and desirous to find favor with Him, that we are confident enough to say the same to Him?  Notice, Moses didn't shyly ask God: "Do You think You might be able to show me Your glory?"


No, it came as no question.  It was a request.  You might even say a demand.  'Now, show me Your glory."


Today, are you willing to present yourself to God and request the same from Him? And -- are you prepared to be transformed by Him?

Do It Anyway

Earlier today, I was sitting in my room, finishing up a book I've been reading by Christian author, vocalist and Women of Faith speaker, Sheila Walsh, called 'Living Fearlessly.'  In the last chapter, she highlights a poem of sorts that she says was written by Mother Teresa. 

The words sounded strangely familiar to me.  I used to own a book about the life of Mother Teresa, yet I don't ever remember seeing these words attributed to her.  


So I did a little research (yes, that's me -- forever a Nancy Drew wannabe) and learned that these words were found written on a wall of Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta, while others claim it was found written on the wall of her own room in that home.


Other information states that this was based on something called 'The Paradoxical Commandments,' which I've also read, by Dr. Kent Keith, but it seems as if the second part of this composition was re-written with more of a spiritual mindset. 


I can't say for sure where and from whom this originated. No matter -- the fact remains that this is a beautiful poetic masterpiece (to me, anyway).  Inspiring, encouraging, filled with truth. 


If you are seeking to follow in the footsteps of Jesus -- serving as He served, living as He lived, loving as He loved -- but it just seems much too hard: Do it anyway.

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.  Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.  Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.

Oh, and I finally did recall just where I heard the words before:

Worship Song Sunday -- When The Stars Burn Down (Blessing and Honor), by Phillips, Craig and Dean

All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:


“Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!”  ~ Revelation 7:11-12


Phillips, Craig and Dean have been around a long time; yet to me, they remain gifted at giving a true, fresh and exuberant call to worship, as they do with this glorious song.  Turn the volume up on this one, raise your voice and your hands in worship and praise to our mighty God!

Empty To Be Filled

Today, I was given a slight reprieve from the waves of depression that have been knocking me down these past few weeks.  I was able to step out from beneath the clouds and out into the warmth and light to write just a wee bit of what I'm experiencing on this dark journey. 


It feels good to be able to write something -- ANYTHING -- again and to be able to just breathe.....


My mind is empty --
Fill it with Your truths 
and promises from Your Word.


My heart is empty --
Fill  it with Your deep love 
and compassion.


My spirit is empty --
Fill it with Your hope, joy
and Your perfect peace.


My soul is empty --
Fill it with You.

 I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. ~ Psalm 81:10

Worship Song Sunday -- Everlasting God by Lincoln Brewster

Isaiah 40:27-31 ~


Why do you complain, Jacob?
    Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord;
    my cause is disregarded by my God”? 
Do you not know?
    Have you not heard? 
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth. 
He will not grow tired or weary, 
    and his understanding no one can fathom. 
He gives strength to the weary 
    and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall; 
 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength. 
They will soar on wings like eagles; 
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint. 








May the strength of the Everlasting God carry you through whatever you're facing -- today and always.